Differentiating Powers of x (OCR AS Maths A): Revision Note

Differentiating Powers of x

How do I differentiate expressions involving powers of x?

• Powers of x are differentiated according to the following formulae:

• Differentiating terms with positive integer powers of x is straightforward

• But negative and fractional powers of x can also be differentiated this way

• Don't forget these two special cases:

• These allow you to differentiate constants and linear terms in x

• If the expression involves a sum or difference of terms just differentiate one term at a time